Ciermae (she/her), pronounced sher-may, is a Filipino-Canadian manager and creative. Since joining Humainologie in 2020, she has worn many hats including overseeing the former Gallery + Store in the Calgary Beltline, creating social media content, and executing multiple events and projects such as Empathy Week, the Short Story Festival, and The Period Project.

Ciermae works her casting and organizational magic behind the scenes for Humainologie's short film series, SHADES: Amplify Her Voice, which she co-founded and works on as an associate producer. She received a producer credit for the music video Ric Flair Flo by Calgary funk/hip hop artist Sinzere which was released in July 2023. She is learning the ways of talent management as she is deeply motivated to cultivate a person's unique spark and doing all she can to ignite it.

Her empathy towards nonhuman animals and passion to dismantle systems of oppression led her to a vegan lifestyle in 2016 and she hopes to inspire others to do the same. An action-oriented optimist fueled by collaborative energy, Ciermae is excited about designing equitable and joyful processes, spaces, and experiences.

Loves
Donuts.
My cats, Luna and Artemis, and my family dog, Koreo.
Shopping at markets (of any kind).
Boxing.
Daydreaming.

Qualities you value in people.
I value people who are consistent with their words and actions, comfortable in their individuality, and curious about the world and those around them.

Something you are working on.
Growing up, I wrote a lot of poetry and was even published a few times. I wanted to become a journalist and write a novel. While I write a lot for work, I am making an effort to start writing as a creative outlet again.

Favourite self-care rituals.
Taking a few quiet minutes in the morning and at night to meditate and journal has been a game changer. And my ultimate go-to: getting ice cream and going on a walk, no matter what the weather is.

Salima (she/her) was born in Australia and immigrated to Canada when she was 17. She has a communications degree and a law degree. Before co-founding Humainologie, Salima marketed light fixtures, practiced litigation at a law firm, ran a yoga studio, recorded a meditation CD, and worked as the Executive Director for Vibrant Communities Calgary and the General Counsel of the Calgary Homeless Foundation.

Salima is skilled at turning a creative idea into something tangible. Since 2015, she has produced and directed many short films for Humainologie receiving over 50 international awards and film festival selections. Salima finds fulfilment in witnessing people share their stories and believes in the opportunity for healing and empowerment through storytelling.

Running several half marathons barefoot, walking solo from Geneva to Pamplona with a backpack, and uniquely co-parenting a little human, Salima resonates with taking the unexpected or unconventional path.

Loves
The feeling of summer, whether in the form of a hot bath, warm fireplace, a sauna session, or a sunny day.
The cinema experience, from the popcorn to the credits.
A cappuccino in a to-stay cup, extra hot.
Pink (the colour).

Qualities you value in people.
I value great listeners who are warm, emotionally mature, diplomatic, real.

A childhood experience that influenced your life.
My early years were spent stealing papadams from the kitchen of my dad’s Indian restaurant in Surfers’ Paradise, Australia. The 1980s in Australia was not a time of much racial diversity or understanding and I spent my childhood feeling uncomfortably different to everyone else. However, the differences I wanted to bury and deny as a kid morphed into something else as an adult. Coupled with the late discovery of my maternal side’s hidden Japanese ancestry and the birth of my daughter whose heritage spans 5 continents, the illumination and celebration of diverse human experiences is something that feels redeeming, necessary and so beautiful to me.

Something you are working on.
Preserving moments in my week where nothing has to happen or is scheduled. And in that space, connecting back with my own receptivity and the magic and creativity that is available when there’s room for it.

La Güita (she/her), pronounced la gwee-ta, is a Nicaraguan-Canadian creative, born in the Northern Prairies, who holds a BFA in Visual Studies from the University of Calgary. Prior to joining Humainologie in May 2024, La Güita developed cultural arts programming rooted in reconnection and reclamation of Latinidad and indigeneity during a month-long artist residency. She also facilitates safe skate spaces for underrepresented youth with 100% Skate Club and has done so for over 4 years.

Within the last year, she has ventured into mural making, an expansion inspired by a beautiful mural located in her art school’s stairwell. The visual weight of this mural instilled in her the importance of public art and storytelling, which has become a central theme in her artistic journey and forever present in all her work. This led her to represent Calgary as a first-time muralist in the 2023 BUMP YYC Mural festival.

In her new role as an administrator at Humainologie, Josee bridges her passion for visual arts, self-expression, and healing to support the diverse creators and storytellers in her community.

Loves
Dates with my sister.

Intimate concerts.

Mexican Maximalism.

Making art for myself and for my community.

Qualities you value in people.
I really value people taking the time to understand others. I like when we can get past the small talk and share what makes us feel inspired, share our challenges and the things we want to work on in life.

How would you describe yourself and your art?

I am a really introverted person and I feel like my art style is quite personal and sacred. I often bounce ideas with my gemela (my twin). It’s the exchange of ideas from a vulnerable place that makes my art feel so meaningful to me.

What’s a recent film you fell in love with?
I was instantly hooked to the opening song, “Lejanía, it’s a slower, classic cumbia song that connects to the themes of homesickness and loss explored in Ya no Estoy Aquí (I am no longer here) by Fernando Frías de la Parra. The film centers on a young disenfranchised man who must flee from his home and navigate the strange world of the U.S only to feel the call to return home.

Ximena (she/her), pronounced he-men-ah, is a Bachelor of Film Studies and Radio, Television, and Broadcast News graduate from the University of Calgary and SAIT. She is an indie filmmaker from Acapulco, Mexico, whose life-long mission is to tell inspiring and heartfelt stories that are thought-provoking and encourage social commentary.

Ximena first started working with Humainologie in 2021 as a Director of Photography for SHADES: Amplify Her Voice. Her honed cinematographic skills allow her to achieve stunning imagery that truly portrays the essence of a story. Ximena believes in the importance of diversifying and amplifying underrepresented voices in film.

Loves
Animals.
Karaoke.
Family reunions.
Movies with a bowl of salt & vinegar chips.
Hot sauce.

A childhood experience that influenced your life.
My family and I used to go to the movies every Sunday. Consequently, the experience of movie-watching with my loved ones truly inspired me to become a filmmaker.

Person alive I would most like to have dinner with.
Guillermo del Toro. Despite being a well-known director, he looks like a passionate and genuine person, so I would love to have a deep conversation with him about his passion for horror films and monsters.

Favourite season and why.
I would say fall is my favourite season because I love wearing cozy clothing. There’s something magical about the smell and the changing colours of the trees. Coming from a place where summer lasts all 365 days, fall quickly became a personal favourite.

Winner (she/her) is a Nigerian-Canadian artist, photographer, and social media creator based in Calgary, Alberta. With a Bachelor of Design in Photography from Alberta University of the Arts and a diploma in Hospitality Management, she brings a unique blend of creativity and practical self-awareness expertise to her work.

Her passion lies in helping people develop their authentic, creative selves and embrace them unapologetically. Her love for community and building connections has always been at the heart of her creative pursuits, from photography to dance, as she strives to inspire and empower others through the arts.

Loves

Dancing.

Learning new languages (currently focusing on Mandarin).

Taking very long walks 

Trying various ethnic foods and exploring new culinary experiences.

Qualities you value in people. 

I value vulnerability, authenticity, creativity, and a willingness to embrace one’s uniqueness. I appreciate those who are open-minded, curious, and eager to grow both personally and professionally.

Something you are working on.

I am focused on refining my skills in content creation while expanding my knowledge in 3D modeling and motion graphics. I am also dedicated to learning Mandarin, with the goal of incorporating this new language into my creative work.

Favourite self-care rituals.

For me, self-love means stepping in front of the camera and embracing my playful and goofy side. I also cherish starting the day with meditation and light stretching, followed by evening walks that help me unwind and reflect on the day. 

Richard (he/him) is a lifelong lover of images and stories, who gets immense joy from the endless learning and creativity that comes with being able to merge those things for a living. He has slowly migrated west from his birthplace in Manitoba, living in the Saskatchewan prairies before spending most of his life in Alberta, while now enjoying permanent “island life” in Victoria.

With a background in television production and documentary filmmaking, he has been honoured to amplify a cross section of voices from coast to coast through Humainologie for nearly a decade, working on dozens of short films as a Director of Photography and Post-production Lead. Richard is continuously driven to apply his passion for social equity and meaningful cinematic storytelling.

Loves
Live music.
Paddleboarding.
Dogs.
Cinema.
Slappin’ the bass.

Person alive you would most like to have dinner with.
Larry David.

An unusual achievement.
Singing a duet on stage with Fred Penner.

A childhood experience that influenced your life.
My mother died when I was 8, but she continues to teach, influence and inspire me!

Chantal (she/her) was born to Afro-Caribbean and Indo-Caribbean parents and raised in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). She was first introduced to Humainologie in 2019 through her work at Gentle Lion Communications. As Lead Strategist & Client Relations Manager at GLC, Chantal brings strategic savvy, imaginative expression, and sincere determination to clients and their teams.

With Humainologie, Chantal has had the pleasure of lending her voice and lending a hand to a little bit of everything that brings her joy, from organizational strategy to social media and events.

Loves
Pink, purple, and gold sunsets.
Honey hot sauce.
Live music.
My mom.

Person alive you would most like to have dinner with.
Issa Rae.

Qualities you value in people.
The ability to build and create. Artists, writers, musicians - anyone who brings ideas to life.

An unusual achievement.
I’m one of 45 “Villagers” illustrated on the pints at Village Ice Cream (my happy place).

Priscilla (she/her/elle) is a programmer with CJSW and the in-game host for Calgary Surge Basketball. A past Producer for Telus STORYHIVE, Priscilla is a free-spirited storyteller as well as a peer support specialist with a passion for people and creative collaborations with equally uplifting energies.

She first connected with Humainologie in 2019 as an event panelist. In 2022, Priscilla organized Humainologie's Jane's Walk and worked on the Humans of Calgary platform. Priscilla has also collaborated with Humainologie in her role as past Curator/Speaker Liaison and Coach for TedxYYC and currently as the Co-Chair of TedxYYC. She has recently been cast in Season Two of SHADES: Amplify her Voice.

Loves
Roller dancing.
All things arts and crafts.
Somatic Abolitionism.
White cheddar popcorn.
Stargazing.

Qualities you value in people.
Humility, compassion and humor. I'm not a fan of "cancel culture" and value those who allow space for others to grow and recognize that we're all just humans trying our best.

Something you are working on.
Not procrastinating, saying "no" to make room for more aligned "yes'" and becoming a better ancestor -leaving this earth better than I found it.

A childhood experience that influenced your life.
Watching the video countdown show BET's 106 & Park and witnessing the host on television, Free Marie, with an afro as big as her personality (I also had an afro at the time). Experiencing that representation and seeing someone that looked like me in a position of influence is the very thing that encouraged me to pursue my love for broadcast journalism.

Jessica (she/her) is a Filipino-Canadian filmmaker based in Calgary, AB. She has worked in wedding videography, documentary filmmaking, and has directed and produced music videos, and more recently, has been involved in the production of short films. She is incredibly passionate about visual storytelling, and creating moments on film that invoke emotion and contemplation.

Loves
Bubble tea.
Mountain biking/road cycling.
Music.
Movie nights with friends.

Person alive you would most like to have dinner with.
Honestly, as of right now, I'd love to sit down and have dinner with Greta Gerwig. Partly because of what she's done with Barbie, but also I think her directorial mind is fascinating.

Favourite season and why.
My favourite season is the fall. There's something about being able to wear comfortable clothes/layers and cool weather but not quite freezing weather. And you can't beat the stunning colours of autumn!

Something you are working on.
I’m currently in the middle of editing a music video I had shot for my friend, The Analog Dream. I’ve got a few more music videos lined up in the fall, so I’m really looking forward to that.